Assemblage or Lesson in Life?

Today I am working on a mixed-media assemblage that I started four months ago. It is not finished but I figured I would write a post as the paint dries. It has been very interesting to me as I explore where my natural talent falls...and through it, see the prejudice that exist in the art world. For instance, there is the famous artist Joseph Cornell who first put assemblage boxes on the map. Recently one of his pieces sold for over half a million. However, I cannot tell you the number of times a well-meaning(or sometimes the opposite) artist suggested I not work so much in mixed media. That galleries frown upon it because it is not 'original art'. This is not the case and is really a rather outdated way of thinking. The flip side is many up-and-comers are doing large amounts of mixed media and assemblage. The market is being flooded with it now. Also, there seems to be this need to make it shocking for it to be considered art by the 30 and younger crowd. So, my more subtle pieces are not always accepted by the happening attending hipster. What have I learned from all this? Well, that I don't really care. Maybe that is not the right way to put it. I'm not thumbing my nose at the establishment....okay, actually I am. Seriously, I really have been sticking to my motto of "JUST MAKE GOOD ART".

And I am making it with people I like and trust. I recently ended a business relationship. It was not ugly or uncivil (I don't even know if the acquaintance is aware). However, I had social networking connection with the owner of a certain store because I was in a show there. Since doing the exhibit, I have learned what kind of person the owner is by simply following their Facebook. They are, in my opinion, not focused on art but churning out hastily poor crafted items for a profit - and do so by taking away from the artisans' earnings. I feel they lack integrity, and I don't want to work with someone like that. So, I don't. It can be a little scary because I know that I may miss opportunities. I have already had this happen with my writing for similar reasons. However, I have to look at myself in the mirror. At the end of the day, I want to be pleased with what I created and how I got through that process. In a sense I am my own assemblage.

And if you are interested, got to josephcornellbox.com to see some really incredible work!